If you find yourself dreading the holiday card season—whether that means outright refusing to send any and tossing most you receive in the trash… or forcing your family into staged photos to project an image of having it all together while secretly resenting the entire ordeal (and listening to your partner complain about the cost of stamps)—this post is for you. For many, holiday cards add another layer of stress during an already overwhelming and costly time of year.
Yet, despite the collective disdain for holiday cards, we still dress our kids in matching outfits, bribe them to smile with sweets, and send these staged family photos to relatives we barely keep in touch with. All for what? So others can believe our lives are picture-perfect? (Spoiler alert: They probably already know the reality.)
Some of us opt for the more “authentic” approach, sharing images of tantrums, mud-covered toddlers, and makeup-free selfies amidst cluttered homes. Because that’s exactly what this year has been like. “Happy holidays,” the caption might read. “Please let these kids return to school in 2021 so I can finally have a break.” No? Just us?
Confessions About Holiday Cards
Confession #25810079: I don’t send out holiday cards. Honestly, no one cares what your family is doing. I might send a gift or nothing at all.
Confession #1522299: Maybe one day people will realize that no one is interested in receiving your family photos. I can’t stand those.
Confession #1762016: I find myself judging everyone’s holiday card choices.
Confession #1675288: I dislike those photo cards. Unless you’re a close friend or family member, I don’t need to see you and your kids kissing dolphins in Cancun. It feels boastful.
The stark reality is that many people you send those pricey cards to couldn’t care less and toss them straight into the trash. Keep that in mind next time you splurge on new outfits for that “perfect family photo.”
Confession #2079953: The only decent picture I got of my daughter by the Christmas tree was when she was holding an iPad. So, I photoshopped a cartoon gift into her hands and sent that out as our holiday card.
Confession #1661563: I place way too much importance on getting the “ideal holiday cards” out each year.
Confession #1599359: I send out adorable family picture cards and have everyone wear matching pajamas. I’m not sure why I bother since it’s all a facade. In reality, my spouse and I can barely tolerate each other.
Confession #1679649: Everything in the newsletter I attached to my holiday cards this year was fabricated—except for the names.
Confession #1596926: I send beautiful holiday cards every year, but I genuinely dislike the holidays. I do it to appear like a perfect, Martha Stewart-type in front of my family. One day, I’m going to sign them, “Christmas Sucks.”
Despite knowing that few of our loved ones truly value our efforts, we still aim for the perfect card. Even if it means arguing with our partner, dealing with crying children, and perpetuating a false narrative.
Confession #25810015: I try, but I’m so overwhelmed during the holidays that my cards usually arrive well after Christmas.
Confession #8492179: Holiday cards give me anxiety. When I receive one, I feel obligated to send one back, and I just don’t understand the point of it all!
For many, the whole holiday card ritual only heightens anxiety. And who needs more of that? We already have gingerbread houses to build, cookies to bake, presents to wrap, and an elf to move around.
After three and a half years in our new home, we received fewer holiday cards than the previous owners did this year.
Confession #2603396: I thought I had plenty of friends until I moved to a small town and realized how few I had. I received one holiday card this year, total.
Confession #1679769: We sent out thirty holiday cards but only received one in return. I’m feeling forgotten and isolated.
Confession #2579533: I still keep my holiday cards displayed because they make me feel like I have friends, even if I haven’t spoken to most of them in years. It’s kind of sad.
Confession #2153705: I used to love the holidays, but now they serve as a constant reminder of my divorce and childlessness. I resent holiday cards showcasing happy kids, engagement ring ads, and social media photos of everyone’s beautifully decorated homes.
Ultimately, the holiday card tradition can amplify feelings of loneliness. While some homes overflow with cards from numerous family and friends, others are left with just a couple or even none. There’s nothing worse than the reminder that you’re alone during the holidays.
I just received a holiday card from Domino’s… Guess we ordered too much pizza this year!
Confession #1597994: My only holiday card came from my divorce lawyer.
Confession #1763044: My kids are making cards for family we can’t see because of COVID. My youngest made one that says “Happy Waiting,” which I think should become our new greeting.
Whatever cards you send or receive will reflect the year you’ve had. This year’s cards might show masked faces and remind you of missed loved ones, or they could highlight the copious amounts of takeout you ordered during the pandemic. We hope you can find some light and joy in your memories, as this year has certainly tested many of us.
Whether you love or hate them, the holiday card tradition is thriving and isn’t going away anytime soon. Don’t let anyone judge your choice to skip this tradition or to share your family moments on social media instead. Do what feels right for you, and remember: the people who truly love you know the reality—whether you seem to have it all together or are struggling every day. They love you regardless.
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Summary:
Holiday cards can be a source of stress and anxiety for many during the festive season. While some families enjoy sending and receiving these cards, others feel overwhelmed by the expectations and pressures that come with them. Despite the mixed feelings, the tradition continues, with many opting for either perfect family snapshots or more authentic representations of their lives. Ultimately, the joy of the holidays should not hinge on the cards we send or receive.
Keyphrase: holiday card stress
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